Russell White a winner in controversial Kittery Town Council election

KITTERY, Maine — Russell White said he was “totally shocked” that he handily won a seat on the Kittery Town Council Tuesday night with 909 votes. Meanwhile, a dispute is brewing over the remaining candidates in the race.

KITTERY, Maine — Russell White said he was “totally shocked” that he handily won a seat on the Kittery Town Council Tuesday night with 909 votes. Meanwhile, a dispute is brewing over the remaining candidates in the race.

Former Kittery police Sgt. Chuck Denault received 585 votes to win the second available seat on the council, narrowly defeating incumbent George Dow, who received 584 votes.

Dow is calling into question an email that candidate Will Peirce apparently sent out Monday evening, and has asked Town Clerk Maryann Place to seek legal counsel on the matter.

Peirce received 334 votes, coming in fifth out of six candidates. Former councilor Gary Beers received 460 votes; and resident Robert Harris got 223 votes.

Dow said Peirce sent out a campaign email to residents who signed up to receive updates from the citizens group the Kittery Steering Committee at a council-called hearing about the resignation of former police chief Paul Callaghan.

According to a copy of the email received by the Herald, but not independently confirmed, the email ends by saying “You signed up to receive email about current events at the Kittery Community Center.”

Dow said the email was brought to his attention by recreation department director Janice Grady.

“I am very much concerned,” said Dow. “It makes it sound like it came from the Kittery Community Center. It screams wrong, wrong, wrong to me.”

He said wonders if any of the candidates would have received more votes if Peirce had not sent out the email.

Peirce did not answer his phone on Tuesday night.

Dow said he would first see about the legality of Peirce’s email, and is weighing asking for a recount.

White says his victory “says that what I’ve been talking about connects with people who voted for me — the emphasis on planning and directing development the right way,” said White.

Beers, who spent most of the day Tuesday at the community center was philosophical.

“Congratulations to winners,” said Beers. “Thank you to those who voted for me. I wish the winners all best, as well as entire council as it moves forward.”

Several housekeeping measures also on the ballot easily passed.

White said he wanted to thank “everyone who voted for me as well as to my team, who was very encouraging and helpful,” said White.